Police Officer James Branson died of an injury he received when he was involved in a motor vehicle accident while in pursuit of a stolen vehicle.

He and his partner spotted a vehicle that had been taken a few hours earlier in a car jacking. When the officers attempted to stop the vehicle, a pursuit began. During the pursuit, the officer's police cruiser collided with a sport utility vehicle whose driver did not see the patrol car.

Officer Branson was treated for a broken ankle and had surgery on the ankle on February 14, 2003, and was sent home to recover. On March 9, 2003, he suffered a fatal pulmonary embolism caused by a massive blood clot that traveled from his ankle to his heart and lungs.

Officer Branson had served with the St. Louis Police Department for four years. He is survived by his wife and four children.